O. Seifert, Endress + Hauser Flowtech AG (Reinach, Switzerland), e-mail: info@de.endress.com

Oxygen can be successfully considered as oxidizer in hightemperature metallurgical processes; it was used in such way more often than air. Oxygen burners provide more effi cient operation procedure with improved specifi c power consumption and heat transfer. Owing to decrease of heat losses comparing with air burners, it is possible to minimize fuel expenditures and emission of harmful gases (such as CO, NO_x and CO₂) in diff erent metallurgical units, including melting furnaces and mixing furnaces, in all industries applying high-temperature processes. The paper presents technical solution developed by Messer Group — corresponding Oxypyr burners and adjusting objects with nominal capacity 10–20 MWt. After 24 month testing, Messer Group has equipped 9 rotary drum furnaces for aluminium and copper recycling with such burners at the works in Turkey, Austria, Poland and Germany. Each of these burners is based on thermal measurement of consumption by “t-mass 65” sensor developed by Endress + Hauser company. It is shown that such burners can be used also in iron and steel industry as well as in glass, ceramic, cement and refractory industries.